The Mantra Trailer is retired from public art duty, but I still take her camping every once in a while. Tomorrow I leave for a 12 day trip to wilderness areas in Northern California. Like the mantra says, it's time to MAKE ART SLOW DOWN. Well I don't know if I'll be making art per se (unless you think making mouth-watering, blueberry-pecan, buckwheat pancakes on an outdoor griddle is art), but I most definitely will be slowing down. There will be no computer, smart phone, email or blogging while I'm away.

My First Giveaway

However, I didn't want to leave the blog or you hanging, so I decided to post my first ever giveaway. I'll be giving away a CD of "My Favorite Mantras," from the Mantra Trailer archive, to three people chosen randomly from all who comment on this vacation post.

To enter the giveaway include your art/craft making mantra in ALL CAPS in your comment. (Please feel free to make one up if you don't already have one.) There is one other thing you must do, on the honor system, to qualify. Either before or after you post your mantra, march around your studio or sit in a quiet place, alone of course, and say-sing-repeat your mantra out loud to your heart's desire. If it starts to change as you are chanting go with the flow and see where you end up. If you have any interesting results, surprises or discoveries please share!

The giveaway will be open until my return on July 13, 2010. I'll ask a friend to approve comments while I'm away. I can't wait to see what you come up with. Happy chanting!

My creative practice is improvisational and in order for me to make anything that communicates a sense of presence to the viewer, I have to be present when I'm making it. My improvised work is informed by design but mostly it comes from within. It's what I call the rhythm of attention. {Stay tuned for future posts on The Rhythm of Attention.}

As I blog along I will be introducing some of the "mantras" I use to stay present. By mantra I don't mean a simple repetitive chant, but an actual mind-tool or exercise for things like centering, undoing anxiety, releasing tension, connecting with emotions and dealing with distractions.

Rowing the Boat:

What do you do to stay focused and present while crafting? Do you have any rituals to get your creative juices flowing? What do you do when you're stuck or bored? etc.